U.S. patent application number 15/807278 was filed with the patent office on 2018-10-11 for control apparatus and non-transitory computer readable medium.
This patent application is currently assigned to FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Takao MAEKAWA.
Application Number | 20180292979 15/807278 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 63711504 |
Filed Date | 2018-10-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180292979 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MAEKAWA; Takao |
October 11, 2018 |
CONTROL APPARATUS AND NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM
Abstract
A control apparatus includes a display unit that causes a
display to present a screen having an operator displayed thereon, a
receiving unit that receives an operation performed on the
operator, and a controller that controls the receiving unit such
that when a first operator and a second operator are displayed with
at least part of the first operator covered with part of the second
operator, an operation performed on a first region is not received
for a predetermined period of time. The first region is at least
part of an area where the first operator and the second operator
overlap each other.
Inventors: |
MAEKAWA; Takao; (Kanagawa,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
FUJI XEROX CO., LTD. |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
63711504 |
Appl. No.: |
15/807278 |
Filed: |
November 8, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/04845 20130101;
G06F 2203/04803 20130101; H04N 1/00411 20130101; G06F 3/0482
20130101; H04N 1/00814 20130101; G06F 3/04847 20130101; H04N
2201/0091 20130101; H04N 1/2376 20130101; H04N 1/00474 20130101;
G06F 3/0412 20130101; G06F 3/04842 20130101; H04N 1/0048 20130101;
H04N 1/2346 20130101; H04N 1/2392 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/0484 20060101
G06F003/0484 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 11, 2017 |
JP |
2017-078239 |
Claims
1. A control apparatus comprising: a display unit that causes a
display to present a screen having an operator displayed thereon; a
receiving unit that receives an operation performed on the
operator; and a controller that controls the receiving unit such
that when a first operator and a second operator are displayed with
at least part of the first operator covered with part of the second
operator, an operation performed on a first region is not received
for a predetermined period of time, wherein the first region is at
least part of an area where the first operator and the second
operator overlap each other.
2. The control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
controller controls the receiving unit such that an operation
performed on the first region containing a second region is not
received, wherein the second region is part of an area of the
second operator where the second operator does not overlap the
first operator.
3. The control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
controller sets up the first region, based on history of a location
on the screen where the receiving unit has received an
operation.
4. The control apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the
controller sets up the first region, based on history of a location
on the screen where the receiving unit has received an
operation.
5. The control apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the
controller sets up the first region, based on a plurality of
locations included in the history.
6. The control apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the
controller sets the first region, based on a plurality of locations
included in the history.
7. The control apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when a
command to delete an operation is received after the operation has
been received in an area of the second operator where the second
operator does not overlap the first operator, the controller sets
up the second region such that the second region contains a
location that has received the operation.
8. The control apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the
controller sets up the first region having a size that varies
depending on an area where an object is in contact with the screen
or on a type of a pointing device.
9. The control apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the
controller sets up the first region having a size that varies
depending on an area where an object is in contact with the screen
or on a type of a pointing device.
10. The control apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the
controller sets up the first region having a size that varies
depending on an area where an object is in contact with the screen
or on a type of a pointing device.
11. The control apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the
controller sets up the first region having a size that varies
depending on an area where an object is in contact with the screen
or on a type of a pointing device.
12. The control apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the
controller sets up the first region having a size that varies
depending on an area where an object is in contact with the screen
or on a type of a pointing device.
13. The control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
receiving unit receives an operation that sets up the first
region.
14. The control apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the
receiving unit receives an operation that sets up the first
region.
15. The control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
controller sets, to be a start time of a predetermined period of
time, a start time to start displaying the second operator.
16. The control apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the
controller sets, to be a start time of a predetermined period of
time, a start time to start displaying the second operator.
17. The control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
controller sets, to be an end time of a predetermined period of
time, a time at which an operation on a displayed third operator or
an operation on a hardware key has been received.
18. The control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
controller sets up the first region by displaying an operator
receiving an operation with a process thereof not defined.
19. The control apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the
controller cancels setting of the first region by ending the
displaying of the operator receiving the operation with the process
thereof not defined.
20. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing a program
causing a computer to execute a process for controlling, the
process comprising: causing a display to present a screen having an
operator displayed thereon; receiving an operation performed on the
operator; and performing control such that when a first operator
and a second operator are displayed with at least part of the first
operator covered with part of the second operator, an operation
performed on a first region is not received for a predetermined
period of time, wherein the first region is at least part of an
area where the first operator and the second operator overlap each
other.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is based on and claims priority under 35
USC 119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-078239 filed Apr.
11, 2017.
BACKGROUND
(i) Technical Field
[0002] The present invention relates to a control apparatus and a
non-transitory computer readable medium.
(ii) Related Art
[0003] Graphical user interfaces (GUIs) that receive an operation
performed on a virtual operator displayed on a display have been
disclosed. The operation is performed onto the operator using a
pointing device, such as a touchpanel or mouse. There is a
possibility that two operators overlap each other. More
specifically, a first operator and a second operator may be
displayed with the second operator covering a screen containing the
first operator. Also, screen transition may be performed shifting
from a screen containing the first operator to a screen containing
the second operator.
[0004] When the first and second operators are displayed with at
least part of the first operator covered with part of the second
operator, the second operator may contain an area that does not
overlap the first operator. A user may now intend to operate the
second operator. For the user not to erroneously operate the first
operator instead of the second operator, the user may operate an
area of the second operator that does not overlap the first
operator.
SUMMARY
[0005] According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a
control apparatus. The control apparatus includes a display unit
that causes a display to present a screen having an operator
displayed thereon, a receiving unit that receives an operation
performed on the operator, and a controller that controls the
receiving unit such that when a first operator and a second
operator are displayed with at least part of the first operator
covered with part of the second operator, an operation performed on
a first region is not received for a predetermined period of time.
The first region is at least part of an area where the first
operator and the second operator overlap each other.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] Exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be
described in detail based on the following figures, wherein:
[0007] FIG. 1 illustrates a hardware configuration of a control
apparatus;
[0008] FIG. 2A through FIG. 2D illustrate an example of GUI that is
to be controlled by the control apparatus;
[0009] FIG. 3 illustrates a functional configuration of the control
apparatus;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a display control process;
[0011] FIG. 5A through FIG. 5D illustrate display examples of
operators; and
[0012] FIG. 6A through FIG. 6C illustrate locations where
operations have been received.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is
described below. The exemplary embodiment is related to a technique
of controlling a graphic user interface (GUI) that operates an
electronic apparatus. The exemplary embodiment may be used in any
type of electronic apparatus. For example, the exemplary embodiment
may be used in an image forming apparatus, such as a copying
machine. A control apparatus of the exemplary embodiment may be
included in the electronic apparatus, or an information processing
apparatus that sends a command to the electronic apparatus. The GUI
may be presented on a display having a touchpanel, or may be
presented on a display included in the image processing apparatus
that may be operated using a keyboard and/or a mouse.
[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates a hardware configuration of a control
apparatus 1. The control apparatus 1 includes a controller 11, a
memory 12, a communication unit 13, a display unit 14, and an
operation unit 15. The memory 12 may be a hard disk drive or a
memory, and stores a program and data. The controller 11 includes a
processor and a memory that is used as a working area for an
arithmetic operation, and performs a process controlled by the
program stored on the memory 12. The communication unit 13 is a
communication interface that interfaces the control apparatus 1
with an external apparatus. The communication unit 13 may include
an interface for a local-area network (LAN) or a modem.
[0015] The display unit 14 includes a liquid-crystal display panel,
for example, and presents a GUI screen having a widget that
operates the electronic apparatus. The operation unit 15 includes a
pointing device, and receives an operation performed on the GUI.
The pointing device may be a mouse, a touchpad or a touchpanel that
covers the display screen of the display unit 14. The display unit
14 and the operation unit 15 may be configured to be a device
separate from the control apparatus 1.
[0016] FIG. 2A through FIG. 2D illustrate examples of the GUI that
is to be controlled by the control apparatus 1. Referring to FIG.
2A through FIG. 2D, an operation to suspend copying and an
operation to resume the copying that has been suspended are
performed on the GUI to operate the copying machine. FIG. 2A
illustrates a screen while copying is in progress. If a suspend
button (an example of a first controller) is operated on the
screen, the copying is suspended. FIG. 2B illustrates a screen
example that is presented when the copying is suspended. In this
example, the entire suspend button is covered with part of a resume
button (an example of a second operator). When the resume button is
operated, the copying resumes and the GUI reverts back to the
screen of FIG. 2A. The outline of the resume button is illustrated
with a broken line. In an actual screen, the suspend button may be
designed to be seen through, or only the resume button may be
displayed. However, even if the suspend button is seen through, the
suspend button is disabled. The copying machine may be suspended in
operation because of paper jamming or being out of paper or toner.
In such a case, the resume button is displayed without operating
the suspend button. In other word, the second operator is displayed
in response to or regardless of an operation to the first
operator.
[0017] FIG. 2C illustrates another example of the screen presented
when the copying is suspended. In this example, part of the suspend
button is covered with part of the resume button. Note that the
outline of part of the suspend button where the resume button
overlaps the suspend button is indicated by a broken line. In the
actual screen, the suspend button may be seen through or only the
resume button may be displayed. Even if the suspend button is seen
through, the suspend button is disabled in operation. Also in an
area of the resume button where the resume button does not overlap
the suspend button, the suspend button is disabled in
operation.
[0018] FIG. 2D illustrates another screen displayed when the
copying is suspended. On this screen, the resume button is
displayed at the same location as in the example of FIG. 2C, but
the suspend button is not displayed.
[0019] In each of the examples of FIG. 2B, FIG. 2C, and FIG. 2D,
the suspend button and resume button are displayed in a manner such
that at least part of the suspend button is covered with part of
the resume button. In those screens, the following erroneous
operations may be possibly performed. For example, a user presses
the resume button, but a response from the apparatus may be slower
than the user has expected. The user may then attempt to press the
resume button again. In response to the first operation to the
resume button, the resume button is deleted and the suspend button
is displayed. The user may erroneously press the suspend button. In
another example, if the user repeatedly presses on a location in
the resume button in a hurry, the first operation to the resume
button deletes the resume button, and the suspend button is
displayed. The user thus erroneously presses the suspend button. In
another example, if the copying is suspended because the copying
machine is running out of paper, the user may attempt to press the
resume button after replenishing recording paper sheets. In such a
case, the replenishing of the recording paper causes the copying
machine to automatically resume copying, the suspend button is
displayed, and the user then erroneously presses the suspend
button. If the first and second operators are displayed with at
least part of the first operator covered with part of the second
operator, the user may erroneously press the first operator even
through the user does not intend to do so. Conversely, the user may
erroneously press the second operator even though the user intends
to press the first operator. In another example, the suspend button
may now be displayed, and even if the user presses the suspend
button, there may be no response for some reason. If the user
repeatedly presses the suspend button, the resume button is
suddenly displayed covering the suspend button, and the user
erroneously presses the resume button.
[0020] A program that describes a procedure of a display control
process is installed on the control apparatus 1. The controller 11
executes the program to perform each function of the control
apparatus 1. The control apparatus 1 thus performs the display
control process.
[0021] FIG. 3 illustrates a functional configuration of the control
apparatus 1. A display unit 110 causes a display apparatus to
present a screen where operators are displayed. A receiving unit
120 receives operations performed on the operators. When at least
part of the first operator is covered with part of the second
operator, a controller 130 controls the receiving unit 120 for a
predetermined period of time such that no operation is received on
a first region that is part of an area where the first and second
operators overlap.
[0022] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the display control process. If a
predetermined condition is satisfied, the controller 11 starts the
display control process. More specifically, the controller 11
starts the display control process when an electronic apparatus
starts a predetermined process (for example, the copying machine
starts copying) or the electronic apparatus shifts from a
predetermined state to another state (for example, the copying
machines resumes the copying).
[0023] The controller 11 causes the first operator to be displayed
(step S01). More specifically, the controller 11 causes to be
displayed an operator that matches contents of the process to be
performed by the electronic apparatus. For example, the controller
11 causes the suspend button (an example of the first operator) to
be displayed when the copying starts or resumes.
[0024] The controller 11 determines the presence or absence of a
request to display the second operator. If no display request has
been issued (no branch from step S02), the same determination is
repeated. If a display request has been issued (yes branch from
step S02), the controller 11 causes the second operator to be
displayed (step S03). For example, if the suspend button (an
example of the first operator) is operated, the controller 11
determines that the request to display the resume button (an
example of the second operator) has been issued.
[0025] FIG. 5A through FIG. 5D illustrate display examples of
operators. FIG. 5A illustrates a positional relationship between a
first operator B1 and a second operator B2. As in the example of
FIG. 2C, part of the first operator B1 is covered with part of the
second operator B2. The process described below is performed when
the whole first operator B1 is covered with part of the second
operator B2 as illustrated in FIG. 2B. The process described below
is also performed when the second operator B2 is displayed though
the first operator B1 is not displayed in practice with part of the
first operator B1 covered with part of the second operator B2 as
illustrated in FIG. 2D.
[0026] The controller 11 causes an undefined operator BN on a first
region A1 (step S04). The first region A1 is at least part of an
area where the first and second operators B1 and B2 overlap each
other, and is unable to receive an operation thereon. In accordance
with the exemplary embodiment, the first region A1 is
predetermined. The undefined operator BN has an operation whose
process that is to be performed in response to the operation is not
defined. Even if the user operates the undefined operator BN, the
controller 11 does not perform any process. With the undefined
operator BN displayed, the first region A1 is set up on the screen.
If an operation is performed on an area of the second operator B2
that is not contained in the first region A1, the controller 11
performs a process responsive to the second operator B2. The
undefined operator BN may be different in appearance from the first
and second operators B1 and B2, an outline of the area where the
first and second operators B1 and B2 overlap each other may be
represented by a line, and the undefined operator BN may be a clear
transparent operator.
[0027] FIG. 5B illustrates an example of the first region A1. In
this example, the whole area where the first and second operators
B1 and B2 overlap each other is set up as the first region A1. FIG.
5C illustrates another example of the first region A1. In this
example, part of the area where the first and second operators B1
and B2 overlap each other is defined as the first region A1.
[0028] The controller 11 determines whether a specific time period
has elapsed. If the specific time period has not elapsed (no branch
from step S05), step S05 is repeated. If the specific time period
has elapsed (yes branch from step S05), the controller 11 ends the
displaying of the undefined operator (step S06). The specific time
period is a predetermined time length from the start of the
displaying of the second operator B2. When the displaying of the
undefined operator ends, the setting of the first region A1 is
canceled. When an operation is performed on the first region A1 in
the second operator B2, the controller 11 performs a process
responsive to the second operator B2.
[0029] Since with this configuration, an operation performed on at
least part of the area where the first and second operators B1 and
B2 overlap each other is not received for a predetermined period of
time, the possibility of an erroneous operation on the first
operator B1 is reduced. An operation performed on the second
operator B2 not containing the first region A1 is received during
the predetermined period of time.
[0030] The user typically tends to avoid pressing an edge portion
of each operator in view of the possibility of an erroneous
operation. The edge portion of the second operator B2 is not
contained in the first region A1 (see FIG. 5C). However, since the
edge portion of the second operator B2 is not entirely free from
being pressed, the edge portion of the second operator B2 may be
contained in the first region A1 (see FIG. 5B).
Modifications
[0031] The exemplary embodiment may be modified as described
below.
First Modification
[0032] In a first modification, the controller 130 may control the
receiving unit 120 such that an operation performed on the first
region A1 containing a second region A2 is not received. The second
region A2 is part of an area where the first and second operators
B1 and B2 do not overlap each other.
[0033] FIG. 5D illustrates a setting example of the second region
A2. The second region A2 is part of the area of the second operator
B2 that does not overlap the first operator B1. More specifically,
the first region A1 contains at least part (the first region A1
described with reference to the exemplary embodiment) of the area
where the first and second operators B1 and B2 overlap each other
and part (the second region A2) of the area of the second operator
B2 that does not overlap the first operator B1. In contrast to the
exemplary embodiment, this configuration guides the user into
operating the second operator B2 in a location apart from the first
operator B1. The first modification reduces the possibility of
erroneous operation on the first operator B1 compared to the
exemplary embodiment.
Second Modification
[0034] In a second modification, the controller 130 may set the
first region A1, based on history of locations on the screen on
which the receiving unit 120 has received operations.
[0035] FIG. 6A through FIG. 6D illustrate locations where
operations have been received. FIG. 6A through FIG. 6D illustrate
elliptical regions C where a user's finger touches with a
touchpanel mounted as a pointing device. The first region A1 may be
set up based on a single location included in the history. The
single location may be the latest location. If the first region A1
is set up at the location of FIG. 6A, the first region A1 may
appear as illustrated in FIG. 5B.
Third Modification
[0036] In a third modification, the first region A1 may be set up
at plural locations included in the history. If the first region A1
is set up in accordance with plural locations of FIG. 6B, the first
region A1 appears as illustrated in FIG. 5B. The plural locations
included in the history may be plural locations on which operations
have been performed for a predetermined period of time, or may be
locations randomly extracted from the history. Alternatively, the
first region A1 may be set up based on a value into which the
plural locations included in the history are statistically
processed (such as a mode value or a median value). As illustrated
in FIG. 6C, more operations are performed on the right side of the
area where the first and second operators B1 and B2 overlap each
other. If the first region A1 is set up based on the mode value,
the first region A1 appears as illustrated in FIG. 5C.
Fourth Modification
[0037] In a fourth modification, the controller 130 may receive a
command to delete an operation after the operation is received on
an area of the second operator B2 that does not overlap the first
operator B1. In such a case, the second region A2 may be set up to
contain the location where the operation has been received. For
example, an operation may be performed on the area of the second
operator B2 that does not overlap the first operator B1. The user
who may be alerted to the possibility that the first operator B1
has been erroneously operated may cancel that operation, and
perform an operation at a location apart from the first operator
B1. The fourth modification includes the case in which a second
region is newly set up in the undefined screen, and the case in
which the second region that has been set up is expanded.
Fifth Modification
[0038] In a fifth modification, the controller 130 may set up the
first region having a size that varies depending on the area where
an object is in contact with the screen, or on the type of a
pointing device. For example, a touchpanel used for the pointing
device may be operated by using a human's finger or a stylus. Since
the contact area with the screen is larger when the finger is used
than when the stylus is used, the possibility of erroneous
operation is higher when the touchpanel is operated using the
finger. The area of the first region may be set to be larger as the
area of an object in contact with the screen increases. When the
area of the first region is set, the contact area with the
touchpanel is stored each time the operation is performed, a
statistical value of the contact areas of the operations heretofore
performed (a mean value, a maximum value, or a medium value) is
determined when the number of operations has reached a
predetermined count. The first region may be set up using the
statistical value. The touchpanel or mouse may be used for the
pointing device. The area where the finger or stylus is contact
with the touchpanel is larger than the area indicated by a point
pointed to by a cursor (pointer) of the mouse. The use of the
touchpanel has a higher possibility of erroneous operation. The
first region is set to have a larger area when the touchpanel is
used for the pointing device than when the mouse is used.
Sixth Modification
[0039] In a sixth modification, the receiving unit 120 may receive
an operation to set the first region. For example, an area where
the user has actually experienced an erroneous operation or an area
having a possibility that the user performs an erroneous operation
may be set up as the first region.
Seventh Modification
[0040] In a seventh modification, the controller 130 may set to be
an end time of a predetermined period of time a time point when an
operation is received on a third operator displayed or when an
operation is received on a hardware key. In the seventh
modification, the user ends the time period throughout which no
operation is received in the first region. The first region that is
unable to receive an operation means a decrease in working
efficiency to a user who is confident of being free from erroneous
operations. In the seventh modification, the decrease in working
efficiency is controlled.
Eighth Modification
[0041] A program causing a computer to perform the process may be
distributed in a stored form on a computer readable recording
medium, such as an optical recording medium and/or a semiconductor
memory, or may be distributed via a communication network, such as
the Internet. If the program of the exemplary embodiment is
distributed in a form continuously stored form on a recording
medium, the computer reads the program from the recording medium.
If the program of the exemplary embodiment is distributed via the
communication network, the computer uses the program by receiving
the program from an apparatus serving as a delivering source.
[0042] The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiment of the
present invention has been provided for the purposes of
illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive
or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed.
Obviously, many modifications and variations will be apparent to
practitioners skilled in the art. The embodiment was chosen and
described in order to best explain the principles of the invention
and its practical applications, thereby enabling others skilled in
the art to understand the invention for various embodiments and
with the various modifications as are suited to the particular use
contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be
defined by the following claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *